BackgroundLow vision is an important public health problem; however, very few low vision clinics are available to address the needs of low vision patients in most developing countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients attending the low vision clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital.MethodsThis was a prospective cross sectional study of all new patients seen at the low vision clinic over a 36 month period. Patients were administered with a structured questionnaire, and were examined and tested with low vision devices by the attending low vision specialist. Information on the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients was recorded.ResultsA total of 193 new patients seen during the period were studied. The mean age was 41.4 years, and their ages ranged between 6 and 90 years with a male to female ratio of 1.9:1. Majority (58%) were aged below 50 years, 23.3% were children (≤15 years), while 21.8% were elderly patients (≥65 years). The commonest cause of low vision was retinitis pigmentosa (16.6%); 14.5% had age related macular degeneration (ARMD); 9.8% had albinism; while only 1% had diabetic retinopathy. ARMD (45.2%) was the commonest cause in the elderly patients, while albinism (24.4%) and optic atrophy (24.4%) were the commonest in children.ConclusionThe demographic and clinical characteristics of low vision patients seen in this clinic are similar to that of patients in other developing countries, but different from those in developed countries. Elderly patients and females may be under-utilising low vision services. There is a need for further research into the determinants of low vision service utilisation in developing countries. This would further aid the planning and delivery of services to low vision patients in these countries.

Purpose:To describe the factors that determine the utilization of eye care services in a rural community in South-Western Nigeria.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a multistage sampling technique was conducted. The main outcome measure was self-reported previous consultation of an orthodox medical facility for eye care.Results:The study sample included 643 participants. Only 122 (19%) respondents had previously visited orthodox facilities in search of eye care and 24% of those with presenting visual acuity <6/18 had sought eye care. Characteristics associated with previous utilization of eye care services were age of =70 years (odds ratio [OR] ≥ 1.7, P = 0.02); male gender (OR = 1.5, P = 0.04); literacy (OR = 1.7, P = 0.007); and residing close to an eye care facility (OR = 2.8, P < 0.001). Blind respondents were three times more likely to seek eye care (P < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that factors associated with increased likelihood of utilization of eye care services included age ≥70 years; literacy; residence close to an eye facility; being diabetic or hypertensive; history of ocular symptoms, and blindness.Conclusions:These findings suggest that a significant proportion (75%) of adults in the study area are not utilizing eye care services and that blindness is an important determinant of utilization of eye care services. Health education and awareness campaigns about the importance and benefits of seeking eye care early, and the provision of community-based eye care programs are essential to boost the uptake of eye care services in this community as well as other rural areas of West Africa.

Cataract and glaucoma are the main causes of bilateral and uniocular blindness in the study area.

Background The use of conjunctiva autograft, adjunct antimetabolite therapy has been shown to be effective in preventing pterygium recurrence. Objective To compare 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) to conjunctival autograft in the treatment of large, fleshy pterygium. Methods A randomised controlled prospective study of outcome of pterygium treatment using 5-FU as adjuvant treatment compared to conjunctiva autograft. Thirty-five eyes with large pterygium treated with bare sclera conjunctival excision plus 5-FU were compared with 33 eyes treated with excision and conjunctival autograft alone. Results Post-operative pterygium recurrence was observed in four (11.4%) eyes treated with 5-FU and 4 (12.1%) eyes treated with conjunctiva autograft (P40.05). The post-operative complications included, granuloma formation 11.4% for 5-FU and 3.0% for autograft and conjunctival discharge 5.7% for 5-FU group only. Conclusion 5-FU is marginally superior to conjunctival autograft in the prevention of pterygium recurrence but neither gives a more desirable single digit recurrence rate. Randomised studies combining both conjunctival autograft and 5-FU in pterygium treatment is advocated to further explore their effect.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among patients attending the diabetic clinics of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.MethodologyWe examined the eyes of 76 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus between July 2003 and January 2004 using dilated fundoscopy at the eye clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The results were compared with published figures.ResultsMean age of patients was 57.5 ± 10.4 years. Thirty–two patients (42.1%) had diabetic retinopathy. Of these, one patient had features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy while the other patients had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Majority (53.1%) of those who had retinopathy had diabetes for more than 10 years, while 21.4% of patients without retinopathy had diabetes for more than 10 years (p = 0.005). The mean serial post-prandial plasma glucose of those who had retinopathy was higher when compared with the mean for those who did not have retinopathy (248.7 mg/dl vs 178.3 mg/dl; p = 0.003).ConclusionThe prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in our patients is higher than was previously reported in earlier studies. Patients with diabetes ought to be referred for ophthalmological evaluation and follow-up which they should be actively encouraged to attend.

ObjectiveTo compare the ocular changes and Doppler velocimetric indices in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.Methods and analysisThis was a case-control study of 71 preeclamptic women and 72 parity-matched normotensive pregnant women conducted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Demographic data were obtained using questionnaires. All participants had visual acuity assessment, funduscopy, intraocular pressure measurement and orbital Doppler ultrasonography. The differences in parameters between the two groups were tested using Student’s t-test for quantitative variables and χ2 tests for categorical variables.ResultsThere were no significant differences between cases and controls with respect to sociodemographic variables. The mean pulsatility index was 1.35±0.46 in cases and 2.1±0.4 in controls (p<0.001); the resistivity index was 0.7±0.18 in cases and 0.83±0.27 among the controls (p=0.01). A similar pattern was observed in the peak systolic velocity (p<0.001) and the peak ratio (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups concerning end-diastolic velocity (p=0.535). Three preeclampsia patients (5.2%) had abnormalities on funduscopy compared with none of the controls. Preeclamptic women had significantly higher intraocular pressures in both eyes at baseline and at 24 hours post delivery.ConclusionThis study demonstrated lower Doppler velocimetry and impedance parameters and higher intraocular pressure among preeclampsia cases compared with controls. Abnormal funduscopic findings were observed in a few preeclamptic women and none among the controls. Ophthalmic artery Doppler parameters could be useful in identifying those women who are likely to suffer preeclampsia and its complications.

Background: Vision screening and detection of ophthalmic disorders in hearingimpaired individuals is important to optimise their visual function and therefore, their quality of life. Objective: To determine the utilisation of eye care services among students attending schools for the hearing impaired in Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among hearingimpaired students aged 11 years and above. Using systematic random sampling, participants were selected from four schools. An interviewer administered semistructured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and information on history of eye symptoms and utilisation of eye care services. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS software version 22 and test of association done using chi-square test with level of statistical significance set at p-value <0.05. Results: A total of 335 students were recruited into the study. Mean age was 17 ± 2.9 years (range 11 - 39 years). Only 147 (43.9%) respondents had utilised eye care services in the past. Some of the reasons given for non-utilisation include financial constraints and lack of an escort to the hospital. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the rate of utilisation of eye care services among the studied population is suboptimal. Therefore, it is essential for government, eye care providers and other stakeholders to design and implement policies and eye care programmes that would improve the uptake of eye care services among hearing-impaired individuals. This will reduce the compounding effect of visual impairment in such individuals.

BackgroundScleral buckle surgery is not a commonly performed surgical procedure in Sub-Saharan Africa due to a paucity of trained vitreo retinal surgeons. The aim of the study was to review sclera buckle procedures with a view to evaluating the anatomical and visual outcomes.MethodsCase records of patients that had scleral buckle surgery at the Retina Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between 2007 and 2010 were reviewed. Information retrieved included patients’ demographics, duration of symptoms, and presenting vision. Other information included site of retinal break, extent of retinal detachment, involvement of the fellow eye, and macular involvement. Postoperative retina reattachment and postoperative visual acuity were also recorded. Proportions and percentages were used to analyze data.ResultsForty five eyes of 42 patients were studied with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. The mean age was 47.7 years (±17.6 years). The median duration before presentation was 3 months (range: 5 days – 156 months). Subtotal retinal detachment was found in 35 eyes (77.8%) while total retinal detachment occurred in ten eyes (22.2%). Thirty four eyes (75.6%) had “macular off ” detachments. At 6 weeks, there was an improvement in visual acuity in 23 eyes (51.1%), while visual acuity remained the same in nine eyes (20%) and was worse in 13 eyes (28.9%). Anatomical attachment was seen in 43 eyes (95.6%) on the operation table, in 40 eyes (90.9%) at first day postoperatively and in 32 eyes (86.5%) at 6 weeks after surgery.ConclusionOutcome of sclera buckle surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment may be improved in developing countries of Sub Sahara Africa if adequate awareness is created to educate the populace on early presentation.